6 Tuskegee University students return home from Liberia

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WIAT) – Six Tuskegee University students who were studying in Liberia are back in the United States. Most are home with their families. The students touched down in Atlanta Tuesday evening.

A statement from the school says the students appear healthy and are under no quarantine restrictions. When they arrive back on campus, the student heath medical staff will monitor them for the recommend three weeks period for any signs of Ebola.

Dear Tuskegee University Community,

Thank you for your support and prayers. All six of our students in Liberia have returned safely to the United States. The group had been participating in a study abroad program in Monrovia, Liberia, and was delayed due to flight cancellations by British Airways as a result of the Ebola outbreak.

The university was able to secure alternate travel arrangements for the students and they left the country on Sunday. They were greeted this evening by a host of alumni in Atlanta along with the Student Government Association president, and Mr. and Miss Tuskegee University. President Johnson was unable to greet the students due to a delay with his return flight into Atlanta. Most of the students returned home with their families. Although they have been delayed for the fall semester, the university has handled all of their academic arrangements and they are excused from classes at the moment.

At this time the students appear healthy and are under no quarantine restrictions. The health and safety of Tuskegee’s students and campus community are important. Currently, there are no health advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) that require quarantine or isolation of travelers from West Africa, who are at low-risk for exposure, and remain healthy like our returning students.

“The university will continue to follow all the directives and guidelines from the ADPH and CDC. When the students arrive on campus, the Student Health Medical Staff will medically assist, and monitor them for the recommended three weeks by recording daily temperatures and other measures. They will be advised to notify us immediately, if they develop any symptoms,” said director of Tuskegee University Student Health Services, Dr. June Samuel.

“If they develop any symptoms, we will report them to the ADPH and CDC and transport students to the hospital, and other arrangements will be made, per their instructions.”